San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns has been named as an All-Star for the 2015 Honda NHL All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, January 25th, in Columbus, Ohio. The All-Star Game has been played almost every season since its inception during the 1947-48 season. Now in its 60th year, the chosen players are “drafted” into two teams, followed by a skills competition on January 24th and then the game itself the following day.

This is not Burns’ first rodeo, though – his first All-Star appearance was back in 2011 with the Minnesota Wild.

Originally drafted by Minnesota in the first round in 2003, Burns has notched 322 points (108 goals, 214 assists) and 449 penalty minutes in his 675 career NHL games. After spending two years as a forward, he returned to the blueline this season and continues to contribute offensively. Among all defensemen, he currently ranks tied for first in goals (11) and third in points (34) with 119 shots on goal so far this season. He is a top-performer on the Sharks’ power play as well, currently tied fourth among the league’s defensemen with four power play goals. Also impressive, he leads the Sharks in time on ice with an average of 23:41 of on-ice time per game.

Off the ice, he makes his presence known as well. “Burnzie,” known for his bearded look, created the “Burnzie’s Buzzcut for Charity” event with his wife where teammates shave his hair and beard to help raise money for good causes and organizations – the San Francisco Zoo, Defending the Blue Line, and the Katie Moore Foundation were last year’s recipients of the proceeds totaling over $15,000. For all of his amazing charity work in the community, Burns was nominated for 2014’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy.

A fan-favorite in San Jose, Burns commented that it’s a “huge honor” to be selected and has enjoyed the event in the past

“It’s fun to get back to the game, and you just have no stress. Everything is taken care of. It’s a great event.”

Congratulations, Burnzie!

Be sure to catch all of the action on January 25th at 2 p.m. PST on NBC Sports Network.

Born and raised on the beach in the Bay Area, Cassie grew up watching football and rooting for the San Francisco 49ers. It wasn't until college that she discovered the wonderful sport of hockey, and over the past decade she hasn't loved another sport as much. When she's not busy coordinating her schedule around the San Jose Sharks' game schedule, she enjoys her job as an editor, stays connected to her favorite place, Hawaii, by dancing the hula, loves reading, writing, cats, and long walks on the beach, and is a strong advocate for the dying Oxford comma.